This is the oldest building on campus. It was originally built as a private residence and was purchased by Cornell President William Fletcher King in 1864. When he retired in 1908 he gave it to the college, but continued to live there with President Flint and his family until his death in 1921.

In 2011, the President's House was renamed the Garner President's House, in honor of President Emeritus Les and First Lady Katrina Garner.The new name coincided with a significant renovation and expansion of the building, completed in 2013.

It's likely that as a student or visitor you'll be at the President's House for a reception. While you're on the grounds, enjoy the gazebo, perennial gardens, and array of sculptures, many created by local artists. And check out the ginkgo tree, certified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as "the largest reported of its species growing in the state of Iowa."

The tree was planted by William Hamilton, and the tale of how his daughter Margaret eventually became Lady Waterlow, wife to a former mayor of London, was recounted in a 2003 Cornell Report article by Cornell historian Charles Milhauser.